"We are very pleased to mark this accomplishment," said REMC General Manager Danny Arnold. "The slogan of Operation Round Up is 'small change, changes lives.' We have seen this in our community, as the generosity of our members has made it possible to award more the $250,000 in grants to local organizations. "I want to express my appreciation to all our members who are participating in the program. They allow us to round up their electric bill a few cents, which makes a big impact in the community."

Grants range in size from a few hundred dollars to $5,000. Groups and organizations including food pantries, volunteer fire departments, after school programs, senior centers and many others have accepted grants to fulfill a variety of needs.

The most recent round of grants was awarded on Nov. 7. The board of trustees of Orange County Rural Electric Community Fund, Inc. announced that three grants totaling $6,610 were approved for distribution. Operation Round Up grants were awarded to Jubilee Community Health Clinic, Inc., Melton Public Library and Orleans Band Boosters.

The Jubilee Community Health Clinic received $1,000 to fund 100 screenings and five
diagnostic mammograms

The Melton Public Library received $3,000 to purchase Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University.

The Orleans Band Boosters received $2,610 to purchase a 24-foot trailer.

This round of awards brings the total amount disbursed by Operation Round Up to $251,930.49 since the inception of the program in 2003.

The Orange County Rural Electric Community Fund, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization
sponsored by the local electric cooperative through its Operation Round Up program.

Orange County REMC members who participate in the program allow the REMC to round their monthly electric bill up to the next highest dollar. These small monthly donations are then combined together in a separate fund to support worthwhile causes inside the Orange County REMC service territory. At present nearly 75 percent of Orange County REMC's members participate in the Operation Round Up program.

The board of trustees oversees all Operation Round Up funds. The trustees will meet again on March 5, to review new grant applications and determine which applicants will receive funding. Grant applications are available at the Orange County REMC headquarters building located at 7133 North State Road 337, Orleans. Application deadline for this round of grants is Feb. 17.

Any individual, group or organization is eligible to apply for a grant as long as it is located within Orange County REMC's service territory, consisting of Orange County and parts of Lawrence, Washington, Crawford and Martin counties. The Operation
Operation Round Up funds will not be awarded to pay utility bills or as political contributions.